God's up-close intricate design of a spring daffodil(Photo by Ester, click to enlarge)

"I'm Not Home Yet"

Message summary:As God's children our main call is to remember where our real citizenship lies. Paul plainly states "But our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). Today, I want you to remember this, my friend, and hold loosely to the things of this world.Note: Due to late meeting Monday evening and early chaplaincy visitation Tuesday a podcast was not prepared for this message.

"This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's
servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you
owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if
respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13:7).

All I know is I'm not home yetThis is not where I belongTake this world and give me JesusThis is not where I belong

Today
many of us in the USA have a poignant reminder of living in this
present
world, a day we often call "tax day". Although we pay taxes all through
the year, actually practically daily (sales taxes), and in our case
several rather large property taxes throughout the year, today is the
deadline for filing our income tax returns for our federal, state and
local
taxes, a reminder of this "present world" after the triumphant joy of
Easter weekend.

To use a Biblical phrase, everyone must do their rendering unto Caesar (see Matthew 22:21).
Paul's instruction to the Romans in our daily text is among the hard
verses of the Bible. Not because it's hard to interpret, but
rather hard (for me anyway) to joyfully obey it. Some have gone
so far as to assert that Paul is not speaking of civil authorities
here, but the church, which hardly fits the broader context.

It's often been said that there are two universals: death and taxes.
Today I consider our commonality in Christ and our commonality in
paying taxes regardless of where we live. Many of our US residents
probably already did their taxes but I tend to procrastinate till the
last week,
although I am usually not like those who will make the trip to the Post
Office late this evening. Hard though it may be, let's take a look at
our daily text and consider it an act of obedience! But can you
really do it joyfully?

I honestly have to fight grumpiness on this matter. I've read
about $500 dollar toilet seats, government funded pornographic "art"
and scores of other outrageous programs and waste comes to mind. The
daily verse is not one that I've intentionally memorized or found
comfort in. But it is part of the whole counsel of God and our
submission to God calls us to obedience, including this area of funding that most of us would say is not to our liking.

After all, governments - particularly as they "progress", have never been
known for the prudent use of the money they extract from their
citizenry. Taxes and tax collectors have always been unpopular. In
Biblical times tax collectors were disdained and often automatically
associated with "sinners".

Many in our land have been deceived by the
intriguing contribution of an Iowan by the name Beardsley Ruml, who in
the forties proposed the withholding of taxes from each paycheck. Now
many look forward to "tax time" and the money they will be getting
"back"!

As God's children our main call is to remember where our real citizenship lies. Paul plainly states "But our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). Today, I want you to remember this, my friend, and hold loosely to the things of this world.

When friends betray usWhen darkness seems to winWe know that pain reminds this heartThat this is not our home

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne WeberDaily
prayer:Father, this
world is not our home, we're just a passin' through, but it sure takes
alot of money to set up a home and provide for a family. It also
requires giving a good portion of our earnings to the government which
can be difficult most especially when our allegiance to You clashes
with our allegiance to governmental expenses that fund causes
that grieve your heart and conflict with Scripture. And yet we also
seek to be obedient to Scripture in giving to Caesar that which is
Caesar's. We want to be honest and seek to be fair. Grant us peace as
we obey the law of the land while also seeking to be obedient to You.
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Last night I (Stephen) joined several friends at
the ABR (Associates For Biblical Research) banquet at the Shady Maple
and heard an outstanding message from Dr. Frank Turek.

Last night we had four chaplains in our group,
corporate, hospice (Mark Pulliam), motorcycle (Mike Martin), Living
history (John Uhler)

Today's
Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

"This World is Not My Home"Video
Students of Charity Youth Bible School

"This Is Not Where I Belong" Video
Building 429 The name
is derived from Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come
out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.""Blessings" VideoLaura Story Outstanding lyrics!

When friends betray usWhen darkness seems to winWe know that pain reminds this heartThat this is not our home

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